MARQUETTE — The Marquette Builders Exchange (MBE) is awarding three scholarships of $1,000 each to qualifying U.P. high school seniors who are furthering their education in construction fields, and six (6) $500 scholarships to people of any age who wish to complete a DOL certified apprenticeship program in an area of construction.

The Marquette Builders Exchange also has a $5,000 fund set aside for 2021 to provide grants to U.P. schools to help update industrial arts & building trades classrooms, upgrade or purchase tools, purchase supplies for projects, or provide bussing to events. Applications will be accepted year-round.

To apply for the high school scholarship, students must fill out the application and return it, along with a letter of reference and a copy of their high school transcript, by May 1, 2021 to the Marquette Builders Exchange. Scholarship recipients must be registered and accepted at an approved college, vocational or trade school and provide proof of enrollment before award checks will be issued directly to the students.

To apply for the newly created apprenticeship scholarships in 2021, fill out the application, and send it to the MBE, along with a resume and a copy of the official DOL apprenticeship registration. Applications will be taken year-round, and awards granted semi-annually.

Both scholarship applications, as well as the school grant application, can be found at www.mqtbx.org/scholarships. Contact MBE’s Executive Director, Jennifer Lammi, at #906-226-1140, or jen@mqtbx.org if you have any questions.

For 40 years, the Marquette Builders Exchange has been awarding scholarships to U.P. high school seniors who are continuing their education in construction. Areas of study have included: industrial maintenance, welding, masonry, plumbing, carpentry, architecture, engineering, drafting, electrical technology and construction management. Over the years, those students have gone on to be successful and integral members of the U.P. work force.